Production of piled surfaces in pattern form



March 28, 1939. F 0 ET AL 2,152,077

PRODUCTION OF FILED SURFACES IN PATTERN FORM Filed Feb. 6, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet l J .41. '4"III/III!!!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ 4 I I l I I /0 l l II I I I l III III I I" I" I I \I J/ I l E .3 I I I (H I I I l I $162M F777% w/M I I I l I I I I I I I l I I I I l II I|| II I I III March 28,1939. A. F. MESTON ET AL PRODUCTION OF FILED SURFACES IN PATTERN FORMFiled Feb. 6, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 28, 1939. A. F. MESTON ET ALPRODUCTION OF FILED SURFACES IN PATTERN FORM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb.6, 1935 March 28, 1939. A. F. MESTON ET AL 2,152,077

PRODUCTION OF FILED SURFACES IN PATTERN FORM Filed Feb. 6, 1935 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 28, 1939 m-.1) s'rArasf raonUc'rIoNor'rrmcn SURFACES m] roman romu Archibald F. Meston, Middlesemaml HarryA. I

Winter-mute, Plainfield, N. J., asslgnors, by mesne assignments, to'Behr-Manning. Corporation, a corporation of Massachusetts ApplicationFebruary a, 1935, 'Serial No. 5,288

i 15 Claims.

This invention relates to coating and/or decorating surfaces withsimulated piles in pattern form. It has to do in particular withapparatus and methods for making and controlling a non-' 5 uniformelectricfield used in the deposition of elongated particles on adhesivecovered surfaces for the purpose of effecting a topical arrangement ofthe particles on the surfaces, for example, in pleasing patterns.

Fibers, such as rayon flocks, can be deposited in oriented position uponan adhesive covered 1 surface if the surface is positioned in anelectric field and fibers are introduced into the electric field inunrestrained manner. The conditions required for satisfactory depositionof fibers in the piling of surfaces are described incopendingapplications Serial No. 690,252, L. P. Miller, filed Sept. 20, 1933;Serial No. 692,201, A. F.- Meston,

filed Oct. 4, 1933; and Serial No. 699,456, H. A. 'Wintermute, filedNov. 23, 1933.

The piles made with the apparatus and methods used and described in theapplications just mentioned are quite uniform in composition andappearance. Most of the fibers stand erect, perpendicular to thesurface, making piles of monotonous evenness from a decorativestandpoint.

It has now been found that by suitable control of.

the electric field by'means of which the fibers are deposited, andparticularly by the use of a deliberately warped or discontinuouselectric field, pleasing variations and definite patterns can beobtained in the pile.

Apparatus useful in carrying out the invention and several embodimentsof the invention, including novel methods and products, are hereinafterdescribed with particular reference to the I appended drawings, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of complementary electrodes and anelectric field therebetween in which fibers are being attached by' theforces prevailing in a non-uniform portion of the field;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of an assembly ofelectrode elements as used in the deposition of fibers in accordancewith the invention;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of what is shown in Fig. 2 taken at H;

Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmentary views comparable to Figs. 2 and 3,respectively, showing the utilization of somewhat different elements inthe electrode structure used with the invention;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of another arrangement of electrode elementsuseful in setting up a nonuniform field in accordance with theinvention;

cluding air jets useful in applying fibers to surfaces in accordance'with the invention; I

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 show with plan views, the types of patterns whichcan be obtained with the apparatus illustrated in Fig.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a foraminous electrode,

comprising corona forming elements, useful in practicing the invention;

Fig. 15 shows diagrammatically in end elevation, apparatus for utilizingthe electrode shown in Fig. 14;

Figs. 16, 17 and 18 are views of fragmentary portions of products madewith reticulated electrodes; 4

Fig. 19 shows diagrammatically, in side elevation, apparatus fordepositing fibers in pattern formation, by utilizing a moving fieldstencil;

Figs. 20 and 21 show typical forms of field stencils used with theinvention;

Fig. 22 illustrates, in side view, an adhesive applyingroll withcut-away portions;

Fig. 23 shows, in sectional elevation, an electrode assembly useful indepositing fibers on a surface coated with the roll shown in Fig. 22;and

Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation of apparatus thatpermits the utilization of the various electrodes and other meansillustrated inthe various figures and the carrying out of the severalmethods of the invention to be hereinafter described.

In Fig. 1, numerals l and 3 identify electrodes between which anelectric field has been established; electrode I is grounded asindicated at 2 and electrode 3' is insulated from ground and connectedto a source of high potential constant polarity current represented bytube rectifier 4. The so-called lines of force of the electric fieldrepresented by lines [have the electrodes perpendicular to the surface.Electrode'l has a pointed or rounded top and the lines of force curveand spread out in the manner shown as they leave the small areapresented by the topof the electrode. Opposing or complementaryelectrode 3, on the other hand, has a flat surface upon which the linesof force terminate and the'lines in the positions 8', 8'

of force in the vicinity of this electrode are straight, parallel, anduniformly distributed.

When a non-conducting sheet 8 covered with adhesive I is positionedbetween electrodes I and 3 and short fibers are freely suspended in theelectric field the fibers are oriented and attached to the adhesivecovered sheet parallel to the lines of force passing through the sheetat the point of attachment. Once attached they maintain the position oforiginal attachment and resist realignment by forces that may be appliedsubsequently. when the sheet to be piled with fibers is placed in theposition marked 8', the fibers are attached and a uniform pile ofupright fibers is obtained. But if a sheet is held against. or a shortdistance from, electrode l, the fibers are attached at angles'to theperpendicular as indicated at 8, 8 because of the inclined positions ofthe lines of force 5 in this region of the electric'field. For instance,the field near a point causes the fibers to become arranged like thepetals of a flower.

In Figs. 2 and 3, the electrode elements over which the adhesive coveredsheet I! is positioned while being piled comprises members it with amore or less extended top surface and members II with very restricted oredged top surfaces. The complementary electrode i2 is preferably fiat orhas an extended surface. The arrangement of the fibers in the pile madewith the electric field between electrode elements l and ii andelectrode i2 is shown in Fig. 2. The fibers i3 over the extendedportions i0 are deposited in erect position except perhaps over theedges of elements l0, while the fibers l4 over edges ll are deposited inthe inclined positions shown and provide a striped efiect. This patterncan be made while the sheet is moving in the direction of the arrow inFig. 3, but if it is desired to have the stripes extend crosswise of thesheet, the electrode elements l0 and H must move at the same speed asthe sheet.

In Figs. 4 and 5 the electrode assembly which influences the depositionof the fibers is made up of bars I 6 and pointed members ll.Complementary electrode I 8 has a flat extended surface. The pile formedwith these electrode elements, assembled as shown, comprises parallelstripes with spots between them, the stripes being formed of fibers 20deposited over rods i6 perpendicular to sheet it except at the edges andthe spots being formed of fibers 2! which are deposited over points I!in inclined positions. The smaller the diameter of rods i5 and thecloser these are, to the sheet l9 being piled, the more the fibers atthe edges of the stripes lean .outward and set off the stripes, and thecloser points i! are'to sheet I 9 the more pronounced is the inclinationof the fibers in points 25.

.By varying the relative positions of the electrode elements in Figs. 4and 5 the pattern formed will present various effects. The electricalconnections can be varied also. It will be noted that while elements IDin Fig. 2 are grounded, elements IS in Fig. 4 are not connected toground, but are allowed to electrically float on insulating supports(not shown) and to take the voltage resulting from their position in theelectric field. If the sheet being piled is held stationary during thedeposition of the fibers the pattern will comprise stripes with dotsbetween, but if the sheet is moved during deposition the electrodeelements, at least points I'I, must move at the same speed as the sheetor streaks will result in the pattern over the points.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of an assembly of electrode elements not unlikethe assembly shown in Fig. 5, but in Fig. 6 the bars (similar to thosemarked iii in Fig. 5) making up member 24 have been joined together toform a single continuous element. Points 25, one of which is positionedin the center of each individual hexagon, have been found to alter theelectric field in such manner that the pile deposited by it compriseshexagon figures of unusual interest. The fibers are inclined at variousangles and when looking at the pile from first one and then anotherposition the sheen. changes, displaying many fragments of hexagons, somelustrous and some of which are dull. Of course, to provide a closedpattern like the one made with the electrode of Fig. 6, the electrodemust participate in any movement undergone by the surface being piled,as will be described, for example, in connection with Fig. 24.

In Fig. 7,. elements 3i are strips of insulating material, for instance,of hard rubber or phenol condensation products, attached to a conductingplate 32. Dielectric material with a specific inductive capacity severaltimes that of air, examples of which are porcelain, mica or Bakelite,when placed in an electric field, will locally concentrate the -lines offorce in the field in the vicinity of the pieces of dielectric. Thearrangement shown in Fig. 7 has conducting plate 32 connected throughconductor 35 to a source of unidirectional current at a potential of,say, 70,000 volts above ground. Complementary electrode 33 is positionedsome 4 inches below member 32 and is maintained at ground potential.Elements 3i are, therefore, positioned in the strong electric field thatexists between electrodes 32 and 33 and tend to concentrate the lines offorce as they approach electrode 32.

Now if an adhesive covered surface, as sheet 34, that is not'conducting, is placed just in front of elements 3i and fibers aresuspended in the electric field above electrode 33, or distributed overthe surface of electrode 33, many of the fibers will be raised andoriented by the electrical field and attracted to electrode 32. Thefibers will move with their long axis parallel to the electric lines offorce and become attached to the adhesive covered under surface of sheet34 in the inclined positions shown. In this embodiment of the inventionthe electric field is warped by placing insulating members of sharpcurvature or limited area before a conducting member, preferably asimple member of extended area, whereas in the apparatus illustrated inFigs. 1, 2, 4 and 6, warped fields are established by providingconducting elements of sharp curvature and limited area. The insulatingstrips 3| in Fig. 7 can be formed into geometrical figures, letters andthe like, thus permitting a wide variety in the patterns formed.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate another electrode structure comprisinginsulating material used with certain embodiments of the invention. Itis made up of a conducting base plate 27, conducting elements 28, hereshown as narrow strips with rounded tops, and dielectric material 29between the strips. Electrodes of this construction give very strikingresults. The sheet to be piled is placed parallel to the top surface ofmaterial 29 and touching or closely adjacent the top (exposed) edges ofmembers 28 and a complementary electrode is positioned at a properdistance 29 as electrode i2 is positioned above members ill in Fig. 2.The pile deposited when a strong electric field is established betweenthe electrodes shows very pleasing shaded stripes, probably due topeculiar distortions in the electric field produced at top of elements28 where they emerge from insulating material 29. The arrangement of theconductive members with relation to the insulating material has beenfound to have a considerable effect on the patterns produced. With theelectrode shown in Figs. 8 and 9, very good patterns have been obtainedwith conducting edges 28 projecting about to flinch abov the surface of"dielectric filler 29.

In those embodiments of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive,the controlling electrode, that is the electrode influencing the patternin the pile most greatly, is placed just back of the sheet or othermember, the surface of which is to be piled. The adhesive coating isplaced on the side of the sheet away from the controlling electrodeandfaces the complementary electrode controlling electrode, member I9 iswhich furnishes a surface upon which the other end of the electric fieldterminates. For example,- in Fig. 4, elements i9 and i1 comprise the thecomplementary electrode, and I9 is the sheet being piled with theadhesive coating on the side of the sheet away from electrode l6, l1.Figs. 6, 8 and 9 show no complementary electrodes, but it is to beunderstood that in using the controlling electrodes shown in thesefigures, suitable opposing or complementary electrodes are also used.The electrodes can be positioned so that the fibers move downward tobecome attached to the coated surface, as in Fig. 2, or the electrodescan be arranged to cause the fibers to move upward as in Fig. 7. Thelatter arrangement, or an arrangement with vertically positionedsurfaces, is adfrom the sheet to be piled can greatly influence, thedeposition of the fibers comprising the pile.

The sheet to be piled in Fig. 10 is positioned adjacent an electrode ofsmooth contour, in this instance, a roll 31 and corona-formingcomplementary electrodes 40 are responsible for the pattern efiect inthe pile. It has been found that if the fibers to be electricallydeposited are introduced through a tube about which corona dischargesare present, desirable results in patvterned piles can be obtained. InFig. 10, sheet travels about a grounded roll 31 which preferhesivecovered surface 99 to electrodes 40, each made up ..of a tube 4| anddischarge points 42.

' It hasbeen found thatif wire points 42 are left ofl when rayon flocksor similarflbers are blown through tubes 4i and the tubes are connectedto a source of unidirectional high potential current, the flocksbecomescattered as they are deposited. Such aresult is shown at 43 inFig. 11.

With points 42 attached to and arranged about high potential tubes 4!,the flocks are concentrated locally 'as illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13.

' Ifsheet 39 moves while electrodes 40 are stationary,but continuouslydepositing flbeia'stripes 44 are formed. If the .fibers are depositedonly produced are the size of the tubes or nozzles, the

velocity of the air stream, the emphasis given the corona emanating fromthe points as caused by variously positioning the points about the endof the tube, and the strength of the electric field. The stripes orpoints deposited with the electrode assembly in Fig. 10 may beinsufficient in themselves to form a pleasing pattern. Advantageouslyall'of surface 39 is covered with adhesive, then spots are firstdeposited in one color in the manner just described, and then the sheetis moved into another part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 24 where theunpiled surface is covered with fibers of a different color. Not onlycan the fibers successively deposited be of different colors, but theycan be of different length and/or luster, and by controlling thecharacteristics of the electric field and the length of treatment thespots or stripes can be made to have a very different appearance fromthe pile filled in between. The furs of certain animals, the silver fox,for instance, can be imitated by using the method just described.

It has been found desirable in the electrical attachment of fibers toform a pile to have the fibers approach the surface to be piledseparately, not in clumps or treed-together. Screens may be used tobreak up grouped fibers as they are floated in air streams into theelectric field and a simple manner of using a screen or other foraminousmember for this purpose is to have it function as one of the electrodes,Figs. 14 and 15 show an electrode 41 that functions as a complementaryelectrode to grounded electrode 59. Electrode 41 of conducting materialis insulated from ground and positioned about four inches belowelectrode 50 and is connected by conductor 53 to a source ofunidirectional high potential current. It functions also to break upclumps of fibers blown by air jets 56 from supply means 55 that are notcompletely disintegrated by disintegrating means 51. It has beendiscovered that a foraminous electrode, positioned and used as is.electrode 41 in Fig. 15, can be caused to influence the arrangement offibers as they are electrically deposited on a surface,-on the surfaceof sheet 52, for example, as it is held adjacent .50. One way ofaltering the'pile formed of the deposited fibers is to make foraminouselectrode 41 with edges 49 projecting through surface 48 which ispreferably of screen. The electric field adjacent edges 49 is soconcentrated when a high voltage drop is impressed across electrodes 41and 59 that corona discharges emanate from the edges and the fibers justover the edges deposit in other than erect positions as indicated at 5i.Depressed stripe effects are given the pile formed with electrodes 41and 59. Of course, points or edges arranged in patterns could besubstituted for edge members 49 in electrode 41.

Figs. 16,17 and 18 are plan views of fragments of patterned piles whichmaybe made with the a comprised of parallel wires and that shown in Fig.

- 18 may be made with a net of rather small mesh used as a controllingelectrode and positioned several inches from the adhesive coveredsurface being piled. The piles shown in Figs. 16, 17 and 18 arecharacterized by having lines and/or dots be piled, is moved through theelectric field between electrodes and 66, preferably Just under andtouching electrode 60, as shown. A member' 63, advantageously formed asa belt with stencilllke perforations such as the diamond design shown inFig. 20 or the slots shown in Fig. 21, is moved parallel with and at thesame speed as sheet 6!. It is held a short distance, for exampleone-fourth inch, in front of adhesive covered surface 62. The fibers tobe deposited are brought into the apparatus on a moving porous belt'66.When the fibers are carried by belt 86 over the top of wind box 67,compressed air issuing from nozzles 68 and passing through regulatingmeans 68 blows through the interstices of belt 66 and blows the fibersup through electrode 66 and into the electric field for deposition onsurface 62. -Very definite patterns are made with the apparatus shown inFig. 19 and they can be made very colorful if the sheet to be piled ispassed through several partially shielded fields, each one depositingfibers of a diflerent color.

Belt 63 can be made of wire or other attenuated members woven into apattern and it will influence the deposition of the fibers comprisingthe pile by altering the electric field. The resulting patterns willbemuch like those shown in Figs. 16 and 17, but in more striking relief,Or belt 63 can be made up as a stencil and cause a pattern to be made bydefinitely covering portions of surface 62 and permitting fiocks to bedeposited only behind openings in the stencil. Besides the diamondpattern shown in Fig. 20, decorative designs, such as flowers, andcommercial outlines comprising names, can be formed. Such stencillikemembers effect the pattern not only mechanically but also effect it bylocally altering the characteristics and intensity of the electric fieldand therefore they may be designated as "field stencils.

Figs. 22 and 23 illustrate apparatus adapted to I apply adhesive locallyto a surface and then to pile the adhesive covered portions inaccordance with the invention. In Fig. 22, adhesive applying roll II hascut away portions 12 and raised portions I3. Only the raised portionscarry adhesive to the surface to be piled and in the figure a transversecross-section of a sheet 16 is shown with strips of adhesive l8 appliedthereto by raised portions 13. Fig. 23 shows sheet 15 after having beenlocally coated with adhesive with roll II passing through a strongelectric field between complementary electrodes I6 and II. Electrode 11comprises a conducting plate 18 on the bottom surface of which tubes I9,or other members of small surface area which may be but are. notnecessarily conducting, are attached. Tubes I9 are spaced to correspondwith the spacing of raised portions I8 on applicating roll H. Sheet 16is positioned under and adjacent tubes 18 and for continuous operation,is moved in a direction parallel to the tubes. The pile deposited onadhesive strips 16, by action of the electric field in the mannerpreviously described, is not uniformly erect, but leans outwardly at theedges and pro- .iects into unpiled spaces 8|. The inclined positions ofsome of the fibers is due to the direction: taken by the lines of forceof the electric field approaching the surfaces of tubes I8. The effectof ,the inclined fibers partially covering spaces 8| is especiallystriking when the fibers are of one color and sheet 15 is of anothercolor.

' Fig. 24 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation of apparatus whichmay be used in successively applying the several embodiments of theinvention which have been described. A sheet 86 of the material to bepiled, for example, a light weight, flexible but closely woven textile,is unwound from supply roll 85, passed over an adhesive applying roll8'5, ever positioning and tensioning rolls 80, 9t and 82, and throughmeans, not shown, for finishing and storing the piled product. Roll 81is shown with raised portions 88 to apply the adhesive from vessel 89 tothe surface of sheet 86 in restricted areas only as in that embodimentof the invention illustrated by Figs. 22 and 23. Where the'surface ofthe sheet is to be completely piled, a smooth roll to spread adhesiveover the entire surface of the sheet is used.

As the adhesive coated sheet goes over roll 90, itmay'be sprayed withfibers from one or more sp'ray electrodes MI in accordance with thepractice described in connection with Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13. If thespray electrodes I 0| are operated continuously, lines of fibers aredeposited upon sheet 86 as shown in Fig. 12, but if the spraying is doneat intervals only, spaced patches such as the spots shown in Fig. 13will be deposited. The fibers for sprays I09 are supplied throughconduit I02 and this can be made to move away from the entrance ofsprays IN by reciprocating means, for instance, crank with a quickreturn movement, through connecting rod I08 will make conduit I02articulate at joint I06 at the chosen intervals when deposition ofparticles is to be interrupted. During the period of interruption thefibers blow out the end of conduit I02 and fall to the bottom of casingI06 to be lifted again by blower I01. If electrode I0! is maintained athigh potential connecting tube I00 is made of insulating material.

Sheet 86 next passes through an electric field established betweenscreen electrode I I0 and control electrode III by means of a highvoltage source not shown. The latter electrode can be in the form of anyof the control electrodes shown in Figs. 1 to 9, inclusive, but is madeinto or is attached to an endless hand. If electrode III is to cause thefibers to deposit in a closed pattern or one with transverse marks, itmust move at the same speed and in the same direction as sheet 86 whilesheet 86 is moving through the electric field This is accomplished byabove electrode IIO. turning pulley II2, over which electrode IIIpasses, by a positive drive II8 such as a chain from a source of power Iwhich also turns pulley 80 over which sheet 86 passes, in positivemanner. Positive synchronous movement of belt and ,electrodecan also beobtained by having spurs project from the edge of electrode III andengage perforations along the edges of sheet 86 in the manner knownto-the moving picture art.

I04 acting, preferably stencilin the manner of memberttin Fig. 19.The'stericllling belt mustmove at the same speed asfsheet and su'ch imovement. is obtained through drive 1m. Other field alteringmeans,

, such as'scrjeens, can .be used'in place of stencilling I A'fiatstationary electrode may means I16, and such means travelling atthespeed of sheet 88 will give the "pile on sheet 06 a woven appearance asindicated in Figs. 16 and'l8. Although pattern control electrode III andsten cilling or othr field altering means 'I I8 can be used atthe sa'metime, ordinarily this is not done.

' be used in place of speciaielectrodel II when a field stencil ls be-16 1 5 i ont of sheet 88. Fibersare supplied i' lafl m b w supplymeansfi20 in electrodes II! and III by H H i which air jets are utilizedto'pro'jectthefibers up through electrode I III.

Electrodes I24 and I25inFig. 24 are energized and used tojdeposit fibersif portionsof the surface-of sheet 86' remain unpiled after the sheetpasses through the processing [steps described in the above; .No specialeffect is sought in this last step, Both electrodes have','iin general,fiat ,surfaces and the uniform field that results from impressing ahighvolta e.,aorosselectrodes I24 and I25" tends tojdepositan erectuniformjpile. The deposition of fibers, in this step is usuallyfor thepurposebf completing the pile started with spray electrodes IIlI and/orthepile deposited through field stencil H6 and this filling is oftenmade with fibers of adifferent color from that used in the'precedingsteps. f v a 7 Apparatus for satisfactorily supplying fibers to the:field between electrodes I24 and I25 is shown diagrammatically underelectrode I24. It comprises" an endlessfforaminous conveying belt I26upon which fibers are spread by a distributor I10, preferably agitated,and a blowing -means I21 th'atfdistributes air under pressure under beltI26 and causes it to pass up through the belt and raise thefiberstherefromand blow them through tion of pile forming-materialsbythe local alterascreen electrode I24. Undeposited fibers are collectedin hopper I28 and conveyed by an air stream set in motionby fan. I29 tofilter bag collector I31 and thence to distributor I30.

. 24 illustrates apparatuswith a wide range of fusefulness in theforming of simulated piles on adhesive. covered surfaces. It isillustrative ofthe .wide variation in methods and means for obtaininguseful patterns inthe electrical deposition of the characteristics ofthe electrical field effecting the deposition,so as to produce adefinite topical non-uniformity therein. It is obviously subject toravery large degree of variation and may be provided with electroderapping or agitating means and other devices and modifications.

Weclaimr 'r 1. Apparatus for electrically depositing attenuated fibersupon an adhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern form,comprising complementary electrodes, means for maintaining a highpotential difference between said electrodes to establish an electricfield therebetween, one of said electrodes being formed to cause localvariations in the concentration of the electric field between saidelectrodes, means for passing an adhesive-surfaced base material throughthe non-uniform portion of said field,

means for moving said last named electrode substantially synchronouslywith said base material, and means for supplying attenuated fibers tosaid field.

2. Apparatus for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern formcomprising complementary electrodes, means for maintaining a highpotential difference between said electrodes to establish an electricfield therebetween, atleast one of said electrodes comprising aplurality of elements of different electrical characteristics providing,when viewed from the complementary electrode, a surface locally variedto produce in the electric field between said electrodes localconcentrations, means for Dositioning an adhesive-surfaced ,basematerial in they supplying attenuated fibers to saidfield.

3 Apparatus for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface to form' a pile thereon in pattern formcomprising complementary electrodes, means for maintaining a highpotential difference between said electrodes to establish an electricfield therebetween, at least one of said electrodes comprising aplurality of elements varying in radius of ourvature to produce in theelectric field between said electrodes local concentrations, means forpositioning an adhesive-surfaced base material inthe non-uniform portionof said field, and means. for supplying attenuated fibers to said field.

4. Apparatus for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern formcomprising complementary electrodes, means for maintaining a highpotential difference between said electrodes to establish an electricfield therebetween, at least one of said electrodes comprising aplurality of members of different specific inductive capacity producingin the electric field between saidelectrodes local concentrations, meansfor positioning an adhesive-surfaced base material in the non-uniformportion of said field, and means for supplying attenuated fibers to saidfield.

5. Apparatus for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern formcomprising complementary electrodes, means for maintaining a highpotential difference between said electrodes to establish an electricfield therebetween, at least one of said electrodes comprising aplurality of members of small radius of curvature spaced from thecomplementary electrode and producing in the electric field between saidelectrodes local concentrations, means for positioning anadhesive-surfaced base material in the non-uniform portion of saidfield, and at least streams, means for one of said electrodes comprisinga conduit for supplying attenuated fibers to said field.

7. Apparatus for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern formcomprising complementary electrodes, means for maintaining a highpotential difference between said electrodes to establish an electricfield therebetween, at least one of said electrodes comprising aplurality of members of small radius of curvature spaced from thecomplementary electrode and producing in the electric field between saidelectrodes local concentrations, means for positioning anadhesive-surfaced base materialin the non-uniform portion of said field,and said electrode having members of small radius of curvaturecomprising a conduit for supplying attenuated fibers to said field.

8. Apparatus for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern formcomprising complementary electrodes, meansior maintaining a highpotential difference between said electrodes to establish an electricfield therebetween, at least one of said electrodes comprising aplurality of members of small radius of curvature spaced from thecomplementary electrode and producing in the electric field between saidelectrodes ionic positioning an adhesivesurfaced base material in theportion of the field comprising said ionic streams, and means forsupplying attenuated fibers to said field.

9. Apparatus for electrically depositing attenuated fibers'upon anadhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern formcomprising complementary electrodes, means for maintaining a highpotential difference between said electrodes to establish an electricfield therebetween, at least one of said electrodes comprising aplurality of members of small radius of curvature spaced from thecomplementary electrode and producing in the electric field between saidelectrodes localized ionic streams, means for. positioning anadhesive-surfaced base material in the portion of the field comprisingsaid ionic streams, and means for supplying attenuated fibers to saidfield.

10. Apparatus for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern form,comprising complementary electrodes, means for maintaining a highpotential difierence between said electrodes to establish an electricfield therebetween, at least one of said electrodes having localvariations in electrical characteristics of the material forming saidelectrode whereby the electric field between said electrodes is causedto comprise locally concentrated portions, means for positioning anadhesive-surfaced base material in the non-uniform portion of the field,and means for supplying attenuated fibers to said field.

11. Apparatus for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface cally concentrated to form a pile thereon inpattern form, comprising complementary electrodes, means for maintaininga high potential difierence between said electrodes to establish anelectric. field therebetween, at least one of said electrodes havinglocal variations in specific inductive capacity of the material formingsaid electrode whereby the electric field between said electrodes iscaused to comprise locally concentrated portions, means for positioningan adhesive-surfaced base material in the non-uniform portion of thefield, and means for supplying attenuated fibers to said field.

12. A method for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern form whichcomprises establishing an electric field having loportions, positioningan adhesive-surfaced base material in the nonuniform portion of saidfield, and supplying attenuated fibers to said field thereby depositingthe fibers on said base material in pattern form.

13. A method for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern form whichcomprises establishing an electric field having locally concentratedportions, positioning an adhesive-surfaced base material in thenon-uniform portion of said field, supplying attenuated fibers to saidfield thereby depositing the fibers on said base material in patternform, thereafter positioning said base material in a substantiallyuniform electric field, and supplying fibers of different appearancefrom said first deposited fibers to said field.

14. A method for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern form whichcomprises establishing an electric field having locally concentratedportions, passing an adhesivesurfaced base material through thenon-uniform portion of said field, supplying attenuated fibers to saidfield thereby depositing the fibers on said base material in patternform. thereafter pass-' ing said base material through a substantiallyuniform electric field, and supplying fibers of different appearancefrom said first deposited fibers to said field.

15. A method for electrically depositing attenuated fibers upon anadhesive coated surface to form a pile thereon in pattern form whichcomprises establishing an electric field having locally concentratedportions, passing an adhesive-surfaced base material through thenon-uniform portion of said field, supplying attenuated fibers to saidfield thereby depositing the fibers on said base material in patternform, thereafter passing said base material through a second fieldconstituted differently from said first field, and supplying fibers ofdifi'erent appearance from said first deposited fibers to said field.

ARCHIBALD F. MESTON. HARRY A. WIN'I'ERMU'I'E.

